Affluent Regain Positive Outlook on Economy, Stocks and Personal Income, According to Affluent Market Tracking Study #9

Wealthiest 10% of U.S. Households Indicate Potential Market for Automotive, Electronics, Couture and Jewelry; Affluent Not Impressed by Celebrities, Especially Not Donald Trump

MIAMI, April 24 -- The Spring 2006 Affluent Market Tracking Study #9, issued today by The American Affluence Research Center (AARC) shows several positive changes in the 12-month economic outlook and spending plans of the wealthiest 10 percent of Americans, with indexes for current business conditions, future household income, and savings expectations all at record highs. The Fall 2005 report showed a neutral outlook among the affluent.

This is the ninth in a continuing series of twice-yearly surveys by AARC of the 11 million affluent households that represent about half of all consumer income and spending and a third of the total U.S. economy. The survey participants have an average income of $339,400 and an average net worth of $2.7 million.

The AARC surveys track spending plans over the next 12 months for 17 categories of goods and services. Among the additional nine products and services for the "ultra wealthy" measured for recent (past 12 months) and planned (next 12 months) experience or acquisition, survey respondents indicated plans to purchase over three million vehicles during the next 12 months, with about two-thirds of those vehicles priced at over $40,000.

Among the 20 upscale electronics and specialty appliances measured for current ownership and purchase plans, the level of current ownership of several of the products indicates substantial untapped potential among households that can easily afford to make a first time purchase of the products. For example, only 44% of the sample owns any flat panel television. The potential unit sales over the next 12 months range up to 3.5 million flat panel televisions.

The overall opinions of 13 well-known charity organizations, businessmen, and groups of businesses were measured. While the three charitable organizations received favorable overall ratings, they were not as high as might be expected. The United Way was a distant third to The Salvation Army and The Red Cross. Among the individuals, Bill Gates, Alan Greenspan and Warren Buffett received very favorable ratings. Donald Trump, whose ratings were particularly low among the more affluent and mature of the respondents, was the only one rated negatively.

Celebrity association, through usage or endorsement, has limited influence on brand interest for the nine product categories measured. Cosmetics for women and golf equipment are the categories where celebrity association had the most influence.

Highlights of the national survey of 474 men and women in the wealthiest 10% of American households can be found on the AARC website, http://www.affluenceresearch.org/ .

The 27-page/25-table Spring 2006 Affluent Market Tracking Study #9 is available at a price of $350. With a full set of 152 pages of tabulated data, the price is $550. For more information, contact The American Affluence Research Center, Ph: (305) 933-4887 or email info@affluencereasearch.org .

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link. Ron Kurtz http://profnet.prnewswire.com/ud_public.jsp?userid=10007046

EDITORS' ADVISORY: Available - interviews with Ron Kurtz; Report Details for Media